What If I Made the Witch of Destruction my Fiancée? She's Nothing but Cute, Right? - Chapter 10

Thereafter, Nova Bruy began living at the Marquis Volcan household.

Some might think it unusual for a noblewoman to live at a man’s house, but it was not that uncommon. It was quite usual for a fiancée to move into her betrothed’s home before marriage to undergo training for her future role.

There was, for some reason, a protest from her aunt and uncle, but… it wasn’t because they wanted to keep Nova; it was for the utterly despicable reason of, “Pay us money because we’re handing over our niece!”

Mars felt strong distaste for the greedy aunt and uncle, but paying a settlement fee when taking in a fiancée was also a form of etiquette. When Mars’s father tossed them a bag full of gold coins, they easily backed off.

Nova formally became the ward of the Marquis Volcan household… and, in effect, Mars’s fiancée.

(Why… how did it come to this…?)

At the morning meal.

Mars knitted his brows in thought, ignoring the food laid out before him.

“Oh, your table manners are lovely, Nova-chan.”

“Um… my mother taught me.”

“Ah, Viscountess Bruy. I’ve never spoken to her, but I recall her having beautiful black hair. Your hair is inherited from your mother, isn’t it, Nova-chan?”

In front of him, Nova and Leone were conversing pleasantly while eating their meal.

The four people—Mars, his parents, and Nova—were present at the morning meal. They sat at the same table, eating the same food, just like a family.

“But your eye color is different from the Viscountess, isn’t it? Is that an inheritance from your father, perhaps?”

“Y-yes… my red eyes are from my father…”

“Hehehe… you don’t have to be so tense. You’re one of us now, so please think of me as your own mother.”

Leone’s face while interacting with Nova was happy the whole time, treating her like her actual daughter.

“…………”

(What is this situation… Why am I sharing a dining table with my former enemy?)

“What’s wrong, Mars? Why so silent?” Balls spoke to his son, who wore a grim expression.

“Are you perhaps pouting because Leone has stolen Nova away from you?”

“No! Absolutely not!”

“Hahaha! You really get emotional when Nova is involved. I’m delighted to see so many different sides of my son!”

“Guh…!”

No matter what he said, he was met with a warm, indulgent smile.

Mars gave up on the futile resistance and focused on putting food into his mouth mindlessly.

“Um… Mars-sama?”

“Ah…?”

However, he was called out to. When Mars raised his head, the cause of his emotional distress—Nova—looked apologetic.

“W-what is it, Nova-jou?”

“Well… you looked like you weren’t in a very good mood. Did I perhaps do something wrong?”

“Ugh…!”

Seeing Nova look at him with such sadness, Mars was struck by a pain that felt like his chest was being squeezed. His parents also gave him critical looks. Mars quickly waved his hands.

“No, no, no, no! That’s absolutely not the case. I’m not feeling unpleasant because of you at all!”

“But…”

“The reason I seemed to be in a bad mood was… well, something else. Please be assured that you definitely didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Is that so… I’m relieved…”

“Tsk…!”

Nova visibly relaxed her features, showing relief. The expression of tension and sorrow instantly turned into one of assurance and joy. The sheer contrast made Mars feel a sickly sweet sensation, as if a large amount of sugar confectionery had been shoved into his mouth.

“U-um… by the way, are there… any foods you particularly like, Nova-jou?”

Mars asked, trying to distract himself from the unidentified emotion welling up in his chest.

“Foods… you mean?”

“Yes. I thought it would help the cook if they knew what foods you liked and what you didn’t.”

“That’s true… I like sweet things in general. Especially fruits.”

“I see…”

“I don’t particularly dislike any food… but if I had to name one, I dislike insects.”

“Insects…?”

Mars frowned. His parents also looked surprised and exchanged glances.

“Yes. My aunt told me that insects, grilled or boiled, are often eaten in other countries. They used to eat them often at the viscount’s house…”

“…Ah, I see.”

Mekyo—a sound rang out from the vicinity of his hand.

Looking down, his fork was bent and twisted out of shape. He had inadvertently gripped it too tightly while listening to Nova’s story and forcefully bent it.

“…Mars, leave this to your father.”

“…It’s alright, mother is here too.”

Mars was on the verge of being consumed by anger, but his parents preempted him. Both of them had stern looks in their eyes, clearly showing their anger.

“Um…?”

“You don’t need to worry about it, Nova-chan.”

“Nova-jou does not need to worry.”

“Ah, don’t worry.”

“…………?”

As the Marquis and Marchioness Volcan and Mars all said this in unison, Nova tilted her head in confusion.